The Best Space Opera Movies Of All-Time
“What are the best Space Opera movies ever made?” We looked at 133 of the top Space Opera films and ranked them so we could answer that very question!
The top 21 films, all appearing on 3 or more “Best Space Opera” movie lists, are ranked below by how many times they appear. The remaining 100+ movies, as well as the sources we used, are in alphabetical order on the bottom of the page.
Happy Scrolling!
Top 21 Best Space Opera Movies
21 .) Babylon 5 (1994 – 1998)
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- Medium
- Screen Rant
Babylon 5 is a five-mile long space station located in neutral space. Built by the Earth Alliance in the 2250s, it’s goal is to maintain peace among the various alien races by providing a sanctuary where grievances and negotiations can be worked out among duly appointed ambassadors. A council made up of representatives from the five major space-faring civilizations – the Earth Alliance, Minbari Federation, Centauri Republic, Narn Regime, and Vorlon Empire – work with the League of Non-Aligned Worlds to keep interstellar relations under control. Aside from its diplomatic function, Babylon 5 also serves as a military post for Earth and a port of call for travelers, traders, businessmen, criminals, and Rangers.
20 .) Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
Lists It Appears On:
- Fandom
- List Challenges
- Screen Rant
When an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet – the last of humanity – as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.
19 .) Farscape (1999–2003) directed by Ben Browder
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- Medium
- Screen Rant
A freak accident during an experimental space mission catapults Astronaut John Crichton across a thousand galaxies to an alien battlefield.
18 .) Firefly (2002-2003)
Lists It Appears On:
- Fandom
- Inverse
- Screen Rant
Firefly is set in the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system and follows the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a “Firefly-class” spaceship. The ensemble cast portrays the nine characters who live on Serenity.
17 .) Galaxy Quest (1999)
Lists It Appears On:
- Futurism
- Rate Your Music
- Screen Rant
The stars of a 1970s sci-fi show – now scraping a living through re-runs and sci-fi conventions – are beamed aboard an alien spacecraft. Believing the cast’s heroic on-screen dramas are historical documents of real-life adventures, the band of aliens turn to the ailing celebrities for help in their quest to overcome the oppressive regime in their solar system.
16 .) Jupiter Ascending (2015) directed by Lana Wachowski
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Medium
In a universe where human genetic material is the most precious commodity, an impoverished young Earth woman becomes the key to strategic maneuvers and internal strife within a powerful dynasty…
15 .) Titan A.E. (2000) directed by Don Bluth
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Rate Your Music
A young man finds out that he holds the key to restoring hope and ensuring survival for the human race, while an alien species called the Dredge are bent on mankind’s destruction.
14 .) Barbarella (1968) directed by Roger Vadim
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- Medium
- Screen Rant
- TV Over Mind
In the far future, a highly sexual woman is tasked with finding and stopping the evil Durand-Durand. Along the way she encounters various unusual people.
13 .) Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) directed by Jimmy T. Murakami
Lists It Appears On:
- Ian Sales
- IMDB
- Medium
- Rate Your Music
A young farmer assembles a band of diverse mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet from an evil tyrant.
12 .) Flash Gordon (1980) directed by Mike Hodges
Lists It Appears On:
- Futurism
- IMDB
- Medium
- Rate Your Music
A football player and his friends travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyrant, Ming the Merciless, to save Earth.
11 .) Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) directed by James Gunn
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- Inverse
- List Challenges
- Rate Your Music
Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.
10 .) John Carter (2012) directed by Andrew Stanton
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Rate Your Music
- Screen Rant
John Carter is a war-weary, former military captain who’s inexplicably transported to the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars) and reluctantly becomes embroiled in an epic conflict. It’s a world on the brink of collapse, and Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.
9 .) Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983) directed by Lamont Johnson
Lists It Appears On:
- Ian Sales
- IMDB
- Medium
- Rate Your Music
Three women makes an emergency landing on a planet plagued with a fatal disease, but are captured by dictator Overdog. Adventurer Wolff goes there to rescue them and meets Niki, the only Earthling left from a medical expedition. Combining their talents, they try to rescue the women.
8 .) Starship Troopers (1997) directed by Paul Verhoeven
Lists It Appears On:
- Futurism
- Ian Sales
- List Challenges
- Rate Your Music
Set in the future, the story follows a young soldier named Johnny Rico and his exploits in the Mobile Infantry. Rico’s military career progresses from recruit to non-commissioned officer and finally to officer against the backdrop of an interstellar war between mankind and an arachnoid species known as “the Bugs”.
7 .) The Empire Strikes Back (1980) directed by Irvin Kershner
Lists It Appears On:
- Ian Sales
- List Challenges
- Rate Your Music
- Science Fiction
The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.
6 .) The Last Starfighter (1984) directed by Nick Castle
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Rate Your Music
- TV Over Mind
A video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering The Last Starfighter video game only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best Starfighters to defend their world from the attack.
5 .) Star Wars (1977) directed by George Lucas
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Medium
- Rate Your Music
- Science Fiction
Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.
4 .) Stargate (1994) directed by Roland Emmerich
Lists It Appears On:
- Fandom
- IMDB
- Quora
- Screen Rant
- TV Over Mind
An interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra.
3 .) Dune (1984) directed by David Lynch
Lists It Appears On:
- Futurism
- IMDB
- Medium
- Quora
- Rate Your Music
- Screen Rant
- TV Over Mind
In the year 10,191, the world is at war for control of the desert planet Dune – the only place where the time-travel substance ‘Spice’ can be found. But when one leader gives up control, it’s only so he can stage a coup with some unsavory characters.
2 .) Serenity (2005) directed by Joss Whedon
Lists It Appears On:
- Futurism
- IMDB
- Inverse
- List Challenges
- Rate Your Music
- Science Fiction
- Screen Rant
When the renegade crew of Serenity agrees to hide a fugitive on their ship, they find themselves in an action-packed battle between the relentless military might of a totalitarian regime who will destroy anything – or anyone – to get the girl back and the bloodthirsty creatures who roam the uncharted areas of space. But… the greatest danger of all may be on their ship.
1 .) The Fifth Element (1997) directed by Luc Besson
Lists It Appears On:
- Futurism
- Ian Sales
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Medium
- Quora
- Rate Your Music
- Science Fiction
- Screen Rant
In 2257, a taxi driver is unintentionally given the task of saving a young girl who is part of the key that will ensure the survival of humanity.
The 100+ Additional Best Space Opera Movies Ever Made
| # | Movies | Directors | Lists |
| 22 | 2001: A Space Odyssey | Medium | |
| – | – | – | TV Over Mind |
| 23 | Alien | Futurism | |
| – | – | – | Inverse |
| 24 | Battlestar Galactica (1978) | Richard A. Colla | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Quora |
| 25 | Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001) | Shin’ichirô Watanabe | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Inverse |
| 26 | Dark Matter (2015–2017) | Melissa O’Neil | Fandom |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 27 | Doctor Who | Fandom | |
| – | – | – | Screen Rant |
| 28 | Ender’s Game (2013) | Gavin Hood | IMDB |
| – | – | – | List Challenges |
| 29 | Forbidden Planet | Futurism | |
| – | – | – | Medium |
| 30 | Jason of Star Command (1978–1981) | Craig Littler | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Medium |
| 31 | Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988) | Yûsaku Yara | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Rate Your Music |
| 32 | Red Dwarf | Medium | |
| – | – | – | Screen Rant |
| 33 | Return of the Jedi (1983) | List Challenges | |
| – | – | – | Rate Your Music |
| 34 | Space Battleship Yamato (1977) | Toshio Masuda | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Rate Your Music |
| 35 | Spaceballs (1987) | Mel Brooks | Futurism |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 36 |
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
|
List Challenges | |
| – | – | – | Science Fiction |
| 37 |
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
|
Fandom | |
| – | – | – | Rate Your Music |
| 38 |
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
|
List Challenges | |
| – | – | – | Rate Your Music |
| 39 | Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985) | Steven Hahn | IMDB |
| – | – | – | List Challenges |
| 40 | Starcrash (1978) | Luigi Cozzi | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Medium |
| 41 | The Expanse | Steven Strait | Fandom |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 42 | Time Masters (1982) | René Laloux | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Rate Your Music |
| 43 | Andromeda (2000 – 2005) | Screen Rant | |
| 44 | Avatar (2009) | List Challenges | |
| 45 | Avenger (2003– ) | Hiroshi Yanaka | IMDB |
| 46 | Blade Runner | Medium | |
| 47 | Blake’s 7 (1978–1981) | Michael Keating | IMDB |
| 48 | Borderlands | Inverse | |
| 49 | BraveStarr: The Legend (1988) | Tom Tataranowicz | IMDB |
| 50 | Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) | Daniel Haller | IMDB |
| 51 | Captain Video, Master of the Stratosphere (1951) | Spencer Gordon Bennet | IMDB |
| 52 | Crusade (1999) | Gary Cole | IMDB |
| 53 | Crusher Joe: The Movie (1983) | Yoshikazu Yasuhiko | IMDB |
| 54 | Dans une galaxie près de chez vous – Le film (2004) | Claude Desrosiers | IMDB |
| 55 | Dark Planet (2009) | Fedor Bondarchuk | IMDB |
| 56 | Dark Planet: Rebellion (2009) | Fedor Bondarchuk | IMDB |
| 57 | Dark Star | Medium | |
| 58 | Demolition Man | Medium | |
| 59 | Dünyayi Kurtaran Adam (1982) | Çetin Inanç | IMDB |
| 60 | Europa Report (2013) | List Challenges | |
| 61 | Falling Skies | Fandom | |
| 62 | first 2 Alien movies | Medium | |
| 63 | Fugitive Alien (1987 TV Movie) | Minoru Kanaya | IMDB |
| 64 | Galaxina (1980) | William Sachs | IMDB |
| 65 | Galaxy of Terror | Bruce Clark | Ian Sales |
| 66 | Gravity (2013) | List Challenges | |
| 67 |
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
|
Rate Your Music | |
| 68 | Halo Legends (2010) | Rate Your Music | |
| 69 | Harlock: Space Pirate (2013) | Shinji Aramaki | IMDB |
| 70 | Ice Pirates | Medium | |
| 71 | Interstellar (2014) | List Challenges | |
| 72 | Kin-dza-dza! / Кин-дза-дза! | Medium | |
| 73 | Krull (1983) | Peter Yates | IMDB |
| 74 | Lensman (1984) | Shûichi Hirokawa | IMDB |
| 75 | Lexx | Medium | |
| 76 | Liquid Sky (1982) | Medium | |
| 77 |
Lost in Space (1965-1986, 1998)
|
Screen Rant | |
| 78 |
Lots of Star Trek, particularly Wrath of Khan
|
Medium | |
| 79 | Macross Plus (1994– ) | Beau Billingslea | IMDB |
| 80 | Macross: Frontier | Medium | |
| 81 | Mad Max: Fury Road | Inverse | |
| 82 | Martian (2010 Video) | Brandon Hex | IMDB |
| 83 | Message from Space (1978) | Kinji Fukasaku | IMDB |
| 84 | Mission Backup Earth (2013– ) | Anthony Straeger | IMDB |
| 85 | Mission Stardust (1967) | Primo Zeglio | IMDB |
| 86 | Moon Zero Two (1969) | Roy Ward Baker | IMDB |
| 87 | Once Upon a Time… Space (1982) | Roger Carel | IMDB |
| 88 | Planet of the Apes (2001) | Tim Burton | IMDB |
| 89 | Planet of the Vampires (1965) | Mario Bava | IMDB |
| 90 | Princess of Mars (2009 Video) | Mark Atkins | IMDB |
| 91 | Prometheus (2012) | List Challenges | |
| 92 | Riddick (2013) | David Twohy | IMDB |
| 93 | Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers (1953–1954) | Cliff Robertson | IMDB |
| 94 |
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
|
Rate Your Music | |
| 95 |
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
|
Rate Your Music | |
| 96 | Space Academy (1977) | Jonathan Harris | IMDB |
| 97 | Space Adventure Cobra (1982) | Osamu Dezaki | IMDB |
| 98 | Space Armageddon (1996) | Hyunse Lee | IMDB |
| 99 | Space Mutiny (1988) | Medium | |
| 100 | Space Police (1986 TV Movie) | Tony Bell | IMDB |
| 101 | Space Truckers | Stuart Gordon | Ian Sales |
| 102 | Star Maidens | Medium | |
| 103 | Star Odyssey (1979) | Alfonso Brescia | IMDB |
| 104 | Star Quest: The Odyssey (2009) | Jon Bonnell | IMDB |
| 105 | Star Trek (2009) | List Challenges | |
| 106 | Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier | William Shatner | Ian Sales |
| 107 | Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) | Robert Wise | IMDB |
| 108 |
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
|
Rate Your Music | |
| 109 |
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
|
Rate Your Music | |
| 110 |
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
|
Rate Your Music | |
| 111 |
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
|
List Challenges | |
| 112 |
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
|
Rate Your Music | |
| 113 | Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning (2005 Video) | Timo Vuorensola | IMDB |
| 114 |
Stargate SG-1 (the later seasons)
|
Medium | |
| 115 | Sunshine (2007) | List Challenges | |
| 116 | tarship Troopers (1997) | Screen Rant | |
| 117 | The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (1986–1989) | Jerry Orbach | IMDB |
| 118 | The Chronicles Of Riddick | David N Twohy | Ian Sales |
| 119 | The Humanoid (1979) | Aldo Lado | IMDB |
| 120 | The Ice Pirates (1984) | Stewart Raffill | IMDB |
| 121 |
The Mystery of the Third Planet] (1981)
|
Rate Your Music | |
| 122 | The War in Space (1977) | Jun Fukuda | IMDB |
| 123 | The War of the Planets (1966) | Antonio Margheriti | IMDB |
| 124 | The Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy (1998 TV Movie) | Joe Dante | IMDB |
| 125 | Time-Jam – Valérian & Laureline (2007– ) | Gwendal Anglade | IMDB |
| 126 | Toward the Terra (1980) | Hideo Onchi | IMDB |
| 127 | Treasure Planet (2002) | Rate Your Music | |
| 128 | Tripping the Rift: The Movie (2008 Video) | Bernie Denk | IMDB |
| 129 | Turks in Space (2006) | Kartal Tibet | IMDB |
| 130 |
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)
|
Medium | |
| 131 | WALL-E | Futurism | |
| 132 | Wing Commander (1999) | Chris Roberts | IMDB |
| 133 | Zardoz | Medium |
12 Best Space Opera Film Sources/Lists
| Source | Article |
| Fandom | 9 Best Sci-Fi Space Operas to Stream Right Now |
| Futurism | Best Space Opera Movies of All Time |
| Ian Sales | Top ten space opera films |
| IMDB | Best Space Opera Movies |
| Inverse | The Future Of the Western Movie is the Space Opera |
| List Challenges | “Space Opera” Movies |
| Medium | 30+ Space Operas |
| Quora | What is the best space opera movies that’s not Star Wars or Star |
| Rate Your Music | The Best Space Opera Movies |
| Science Fiction | Top 5 Space Opera Films |
| Screen Rant | 15 Best Space Operas That Aren’t Star Wars or Star Trek |
| TV Over Mind | Five Great Space Opera Movies Not Named Star Wars or Star Trek |
